The state of Oklahoma would likely be the most suitable location for Italian utility Enel SpA’s (BIT:ENEL) proposed solar module gigafactory in the US, the head of the group’s US solar manufacturing unit has told The Frontier.
Last November, the Italian major unveiled plans to build a production facility with an annual capacity of at least 3 GW, which could potentially reach up to 6 GW. The plant will produce bifacial photovoltaic (PV) cells and panels and is intended to be one of the largest solar module factories in the US.
Oklahoma has been identified as the leading candidate to accommodate the manufacturing capacity, Giovanni Bertolino, the head of Enel’s US solar manufacturing arm 3Sun USA has said.
According to the report, a site is being considered within the Tulsa Port of Inola but the search for potential locations is still ongoing. If Oklahoma is selected, the project will expand Enel’s current presence in the state, where it already has an office and a portfolio of wind projects worth USD 3 billion (EUR 2.73bn) of investment.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has urged state authorities to back an undisclosed incentive package for the potential deal.
(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.909)
